RUSI SEMINAR SEPTEMBER 2014 LtCol Michael Hough Major John Hitchen ‘THE RAISING OF ANMEF & THE NEW...

RUSI SEMINAR SEPTEMBER 2014

LtCol Michael HoughMajor John Hitchen

‘THE RAISING OF ANMEF & THE NEW ZEALAND OCCUPATION OF

GERMAN SAMOA’

AIMSAIMS

TO PROVIDE:-TO PROVIDE:-

► A POLITICAL AND SOCIETAL CONTEXT TO THE A POLITICAL AND SOCIETAL CONTEXT TO THE

ANMEF ANMEF especially to the tasks of admin/ log especially to the tasks of admin/ log

supportsupport

►THE THE FACTUAL BASES FACTUAL BASES OF THE ADMIN AND OF THE ADMIN AND

LOGISTICS SUPPORTING THE CAMPAIGNLOGISTICS SUPPORTING THE CAMPAIGN

►STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS OF THE ACTUAL OF THE ACTUAL

CAMPAIGN CAMPAIGN 2

PRESENTATION RESPONSIBILITIESPRESENTATION RESPONSIBILITIES

► CONTEXT AND FINAL EVALUATION:- LTCOL Michael CONTEXT AND FINAL EVALUATION:- LTCOL Michael

HOUGHHOUGH

► DETAILS OF ADMIN CAMPAIGN:- MAJ John HITCHENDETAILS OF ADMIN CAMPAIGN:- MAJ John HITCHEN

► Available HandoutAvailable Handout:- Detailed Summary of the admin / :- Detailed Summary of the admin /

logistics aspects of the ANMEF logistics aspects of the ANMEF

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The Socio-Political Context-1The Socio-Political Context-1

► Kelly ( 2014):- As a British dominion conspicuous in the Kelly ( 2014):- As a British dominion conspicuous in the fighting, fighting, the European causes of war are of high the European causes of war are of high relevance to Australiarelevance to Australia. A small nation of only five million . A small nation of only five million at the time, Australia had 418,999 men enlist with at the time, Australia had 418,999 men enlist with slightly fewer than 60,000 casualties, easily the greatest slightly fewer than 60,000 casualties, easily the greatest loss of life in our historyloss of life in our history

► What was the First World War aboutWhat was the First World War about? ? It was about who It was about who would rule Europewould rule Europe. It was a strategic contest, pure and . It was a strategic contest, pure and simple, fuelled by the breakdown of trust among the simple, fuelled by the breakdown of trust among the major powers. For Australia, major powers. For Australia, the defeat of the British the defeat of the British Empire would have had multiple and damaging Empire would have had multiple and damaging consequences.consequences.

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The Socio-Political Context-2The Socio-Political Context-2

►Australia had a Australia had a Double Dissolution Double Dissolution of of Parliament occurringParliament occurring

►The Cabinet The Cabinet not Parliament was the not Parliament was the Decision Maker for “ Going to War”Decision Maker for “ Going to War”

►Australian Societal Attitudes: Australian Societal Attitudes: ““Support the Empire” Support the Empire” and and ““No need for conscription”No need for conscription” Use ofUse of militia militia rather than standing armies rather than standing armies

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A CONTEXT- AUSTRALIAN TIMELINE 1A CONTEXT- AUSTRALIAN TIMELINE 1

► 04 AUG 1914:04 AUG 1914:- WAR IS DECLARED- WAR IS DECLARED

► 05 AUG 1914:- FIRST AUS SHOT FIRED IN PORT PHILIP BAY 05 AUG 1914:- FIRST AUS SHOT FIRED IN PORT PHILIP BAY

MELBOURNE AIMED AT GERMAN FREIGHTER SS PFALZMELBOURNE AIMED AT GERMAN FREIGHTER SS PFALZ

► AUSTRALIA CREATED THE ANMEF WITH AIM OF CAPTURING AUSTRALIA CREATED THE ANMEF WITH AIM OF CAPTURING

GERMAN COLONIES IN THE SOUTH PACIFICGERMAN COLONIES IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC

► FIRST ANMEF FORCE FIRST ANMEF FORCE SAILED FROM SYDNEY ON 19 AUG 1914SAILED FROM SYDNEY ON 19 AUG 1914

► ANMEF HOSTILE ACTIVITIES ANMEF HOSTILE ACTIVITIES CONCLUDED BY END OF SEP 1914CONCLUDED BY END OF SEP 1914

► AIF FORMED AIF FORMED IN PARALLEL IN PARALLEL WITH THE ANMEF AND SOME WITH THE ANMEF AND SOME

ANMEF VOLUNTEERS LATER SERVED IN AIFANMEF VOLUNTEERS LATER SERVED IN AIF

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AUSTRALIAN MILITARY CONTEXT-1AUSTRALIAN MILITARY CONTEXT-1

GREY 2000 ( CH 5) GREY 2000 ( CH 5)

►Virtually LeggeVirtually Legge’’s first task as CGS was to oversee the s first task as CGS was to oversee the formation of formation of

the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (AN&MEF),the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (AN&MEF),

allotted the task of capturing German New Guineaallotted the task of capturing German New Guinea

► Command of the force was given to Colonel William HolmesCommand of the force was given to Colonel William Holmes, a , a

citizen force officer commanding the 6th Brigade in New South Wales citizen force officer commanding the 6th Brigade in New South Wales

and Secretary of the Sydney Water Boardand Secretary of the Sydney Water Board

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MIL CONTEXT-2MIL CONTEXT-2

► The ANMEF GROUND force comprised:-The ANMEF GROUND force comprised:-

11stst Battalion (8 companies) of infantry Battalion (8 companies) of infantry

enlisted in Sydney- (1023 men)enlisted in Sydney- (1023 men)

A A Naval Landing Party (6 companies)Naval Landing Party (6 companies) recruited recruited

from RAN Reserve (500 men), and from RAN Reserve (500 men), and

22ndnd Battalion (4 companies) Battalion (4 companies) of the Militia drawn of the Militia drawn

from the garrison on Thursday Island who had from the garrison on Thursday Island who had

volunteered to serve outside Australia in ANMEF (500 volunteered to serve outside Australia in ANMEF (500

men)men)8

MIL CONTEXT-Time Line OverviewMIL CONTEXT-Time Line Overview

NAVAL Context:-NAVAL Context:-• The capital ships from PateyThe capital ships from Patey’’s squadron were s squadron were diverted from their diverted from their

searchsearch for the enemy cruisers and for the enemy cruisers and assigned as escortsassigned as escorts to the New to the New Zealand force which landed on 29Zealand force which landed on 29thth & formally seized Samoa on & formally seized Samoa on 3030thth August. August.

• The The AN&MEF sailed from Sydney on 19 AugustAN&MEF sailed from Sydney on 19 August;; trained at Palm trained at Palm Island & waited at Port Moresby for escorts from PateyIsland & waited at Port Moresby for escorts from Patey’’s squadron, s squadron, and while there Holmes decided to leave the Queensland militia and while there Holmes decided to leave the Queensland militia unit behind since its young soldiers were poorly equipped and unit behind since its young soldiers were poorly equipped and largely untrainedlargely untrained

• On 23 August 14 the On 23 August 14 the Japanese entered the war on BritainJapanese entered the war on Britain’’s sides side, , immediately commencing operations against German forces in immediately commencing operations against German forces in China and greatly augmenting allied naval strength in the Pacific.China and greatly augmenting allied naval strength in the Pacific.

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The New Zealand CampaignThe New Zealand Campaign

►NZ Force had NZ Force had one objective, Apiaone objective, Apia, in , in German SamoaGerman Samoa

►Contingency planning for the capture Contingency planning for the capture of German Samoa had of German Samoa had commenced in commenced in New Zealand in 1912New Zealand in 1912 under General under General GodleyGodley

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NZ Campaign - 2NZ Campaign - 2

Force:Force:►Was called “Samoa Advance Party, New Was called “Samoa Advance Party, New

Zealand Expeditionary Force”Zealand Expeditionary Force”► Commanded by Colonel Robert LoganCommanded by Colonel Robert Logan► Assembled in Wellington, NZAssembled in Wellington, NZ► Composed of 1,413 men and womenComposed of 1,413 men and women

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NZ Campaign - 3NZ Campaign - 3

►Force was based on Force was based on battalion groupbattalion group with its integral artillery battery and with its integral artillery battery and engineer companyengineer company

►Embarked Embarked 12 August 1412 August 14►Escort to the NZ troop ships provided Escort to the NZ troop ships provided

by RAN, RN and French Navy warshipsby RAN, RN and French Navy warships►Landed at Apia on Landed at Apia on 29 August 1429 August 14

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FORCE COMPARISONFORCE COMPARISONSamoa Advance Party, NZEFSamoa Advance Party, NZEF ANMEFANMEF

Number of troops deployedNumber of troops deployed 1,4131,413 1,5001,500

StructureStructure battalion group including artillery and engineersbattalion group including artillery and engineers infantry brigadeinfantry brigade

Naval gun fire supportNaval gun fire support RAN, RN and FrenchRAN, RN and French RANRAN

Fire SupportFire Support Own artillery battery and naval escortsOwn artillery battery and naval escorts Naval escorts and landed RAN field guns Naval escorts and landed RAN field guns

Naval gun fire usedNaval gun fire used NONO YESYES

Commander afloatCommander afloat Admiral PateyAdmiral Patey Admiral PateyAdmiral Patey

Land CommanderLand Commander Colonel LoganColonel Logan Colonel HolmesColonel Holmes

Objectives to be seized and heldObjectives to be seized and held ApiaApia Rabaul, New BritainRabaul, New Britain

Pleasant Island, NauruPleasant Island, Nauru

Madang, New GuineaMadang, New Guinea

Kawieng, New IrelandKawieng, New Ireland

Longeau, Manus IslandLongeau, Manus Island

Kieta, Bougainville IslandKieta, Bougainville Island

Route to area of operationsRoute to area of operations Wellington - Noumea - Suva - ApiaWellington - Noumea - Suva - Apia Sydney – Palm Island – Port Moresby – Rossel Sydney – Palm Island – Port Moresby – Rossel Lagoon – Blanche BayLagoon – Blanche Bay

CombatCombat NONO YESYES 13

Background PerspectivesBackground Perspectives

►ADMIN / LOGISTICS WERE AFFECTED / ADMIN / LOGISTICS WERE AFFECTED / INFLUENCED BY:-INFLUENCED BY:- Australian Australian System of Declaring War System of Declaring War

( Cabinet)( Cabinet) Australian Attitudes Towards Australian Attitudes Towards Conscription Conscription

in 1914in 1914 Decision Elite Decision Elite Focused on making ANMEF Focused on making ANMEF

workwork ANMEF drawn from the ANMEF drawn from the City Based City Based

Population Population 14

MAIN DETAILS OF THE ADMIN / LOGISTICS-1MAIN DETAILS OF THE ADMIN / LOGISTICS-1

Naval Brigade:- An Organisation of Approx. 500 With Coherent Sub UnitsNaval Brigade:- An Organisation of Approx. 500 With Coherent Sub Units

Naval Recruitment:Naval Recruitment:

► Volunteers for the Force were called from the Naval Reservists who had been Volunteers for the Force were called from the Naval Reservists who had been

activated and were at the Naval Brigade depots in the capital cities.activated and were at the Naval Brigade depots in the capital cities.

► Naval Reservists were already issued with uniforms, some had to be issued with Naval Reservists were already issued with uniforms, some had to be issued with

the SMLE rifle.the SMLE rifle.

► Naval Reservists were already partly trained.Naval Reservists were already partly trained.

► Naval companies 1, 2 and 3 raised in Sydney, 4 and 5 raised in Melbourne and 6 Naval companies 1, 2 and 3 raised in Sydney, 4 and 5 raised in Melbourne and 6

raised in Adelaide.raised in Adelaide.

► Companies 4, 5 and 6 travelled by train to Sydney overnight 17/18 August 14.Companies 4, 5 and 6 travelled by train to Sydney overnight 17/18 August 14.

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Army RecruitmentArmy Recruitment

► Civilian volunteers crowded into Victoria Barracks, Sydney.Civilian volunteers crowded into Victoria Barracks, Sydney.

► Volunteers were enrolled and medically examined at Vic Bks.Volunteers were enrolled and medically examined at Vic Bks.

► Volunteers were attested, issued uniforms and equipment, Volunteers were attested, issued uniforms and equipment,

and were accommodated at the Show Grounds.and were accommodated at the Show Grounds.

► Training commenced at the Show Grounds.Training commenced at the Show Grounds.

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MedicalMedical

► LTCOL Howse VC was Senior Medical Officer of ANMEFLTCOL Howse VC was Senior Medical Officer of ANMEF

► Howse using his initiative:-Howse using his initiative:-

• Obtained quinine and microscope.Obtained quinine and microscope.

• Organised voluntary dental work by Dental Association of NSW on about Organised voluntary dental work by Dental Association of NSW on about

600 soldiers .600 soldiers .

• Organised 4Organised 4thth year dental student with equipment for ANMEF as no year dental student with equipment for ANMEF as no

dental establishment had been provided.dental establishment had been provided.

► Inoculations were commenced at Show Grounds.Inoculations were commenced at Show Grounds.

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►Medical lectures on health in the tropics were Medical lectures on health in the tropics were given to the troops on board HMAS Berrima.given to the troops on board HMAS Berrima.

► Inoculations were completed on HMAS BerrimaInoculations were completed on HMAS Berrima►Lack of space on board restricted training, Lack of space on board restricted training,

mainly lectures and weapon handlingmainly lectures and weapon handling

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► Berrima arrived at Palm Island on 24Berrima arrived at Palm Island on 24thth Aug Aug► Training consisted of disembarkation, Training consisted of disembarkation,

landing, operating in thick country and rifle landing, operating in thick country and rifle shootingshooting

► Tropical acclimatisationTropical acclimatisation► Berrima left Palm Island on 2Berrima left Palm Island on 2ndnd Sep Sep

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Ships taken over by the RANShips taken over by the RAN

► P & O liner Berrima was chartered as a troop transportP & O liner Berrima was chartered as a troop transport

► Berrima was armed and commissioned as an auxiliary cruiser on 17 August Berrima was armed and commissioned as an auxiliary cruiser on 17 August

14.14.

► ANMEF embarked on HMAS Berrima on 18 August.ANMEF embarked on HMAS Berrima on 18 August.

► HMAS Berrima sailed from Sydney on 19 August.HMAS Berrima sailed from Sydney on 19 August.

► Adelaide Steamship Company ship Grantala was requisitioned on 7 August.Adelaide Steamship Company ship Grantala was requisitioned on 7 August.

► HMAS Grantala as a fully equipped hospital ship arrived in Blanche Bay on 13 HMAS Grantala as a fully equipped hospital ship arrived in Blanche Bay on 13

September.September.

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Evaluation of Admin/ Evaluation of Admin/ LogisticsLogistics

►ANMEF structure reflected ANMEF structure reflected transitiontransition from from Colonies to Commonwealth of AustraliaColonies to Commonwealth of Australia

►Very rapid time frame Very rapid time frame for admin / logistics for admin / logistics reflected:- reflected:- • Anti conscription attitudes Australia/NZAnti conscription attitudes Australia/NZ• Pre Aug 14 preparations in AustraliaPre Aug 14 preparations in Australia• Close co-operation between Industry and Close co-operation between Industry and

DefenceDefence

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FURTHER INFORMATIONFURTHER INFORMATION

►There is an optional handout giving There is an optional handout giving much greater and in-depth information much greater and in-depth information about the admin/ logistics campaign about the admin/ logistics campaign ( including references), complied by ( including references), complied by Major John HitchenMajor John Hitchen

► It is available from:- TBAIt is available from:- TBA

Thank youThank you

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►CONTACT DETAILS:-CONTACT DETAILS:-HOUGH: [email protected]

OROR

HITCHEN: [email protected]

RUSI SEMINAR SEPTEMBER 2014 LtCol Michael Hough Major John Hitchen ‘THE RAISING OF ANMEF & THE NEW...

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